Coraling Technique

Coraling is an easy-to-learn beading technique that can be used in all kinds of jewelry and craft projects. Although this process is simple, it does require a little time and a lot of beads to complete! Keeping consistent thread tension while you are working is essential to the look of the finished piece. Here we will show you the basic steps involved to create a coral "branch."

STEP 1		STEP 2		STEP 3
Cut approximately 2 feet of Nymo D thread. Using a big-eye needle, string on one TOHO seed bead and then bring the needle back up through the bottom of the bead again. This creates a stopper bead so the rest of the beads don’t fall off. You can use a bead stopper behind this bead as well to help keep tension on the thread as you work.		Decide how long you want the strand of coral. String that length of beads onto the thread. This will be the main "branch." Then string three of the accent color beads.		Skipping the three accent color beads, pass the needle down through the two nearest main color beads.
STEP 4		STEP 5		STEP 6
Pull tight to create a loop on the end		String on two main color beads and three accent color beads. Keep some tension on your thread as you work.		Skip these three accent color beads and pass the needle down through the two nearest main color beads.
STEP 7		STEP 8		STEP 9
Pull tight to make a second loop. Pass the needle down through the next four main color beads on the main "branch."		Add four main color beads and three accent color beads.		Skipping the three accent color beads, pass the needle down through the two nearest main color beads.
STEP 10		STEP 11		STEP 12
Add two main color beads and three accent color beads.		Skip the three accent color beads and pass the needle down through the two nearest main color beads.		Pass the needle down through the next two main color beads leading to the main "branch."
STEP 13		STEP 14
You are now back on the main "branch" where you started step 7. Pass the needle down through the next three main color beads. Continue to repeat steps 7 through 12 until you have reached as close to the end of the strand as you like.		Once you have as many side branches as you want, pass the needle through the main branch beads and the stopper bead you started with. Bring the needle back through the stopper bead and pull tight. Use the string ends to tie a couple of knots. The ends can be strung on a needle and used to sew the strands onto whatever you like.